PHNOM PENH: The Ministry of Cults and Religions advised members of the public to refrain from exploiting Buddhism for business. In a circular from September 25, the ministry included acts like preaching, teaching the Dharma (Buddhist universal truth), or spreading the wrong Dharma, which it called an act of deception. The ministry also warned against placing the Buddha in inappropriate settings to attract business.
The Ministry also forbids the arbitrary use of Buddhist monk's robes, flags or statues to deceive the public or to impersonate the Buddha and be used as a joke.
Minister of Cults and Religions, Chay Borin, said that the activities of extremist religious beliefs and practices have seriously undermined the transparency of Buddhism, public order, and national security by disrespecting Khmer social order, traditions, and individual rights to religious beliefs.
He added that such activities have led to violence, inappropriate behavior, discrimination, pornography, and lies.
His statement noted that moving forward, all previous listed offenses are forbidden in the spirit of cultivating morality, virtue and obedience to Buddhism. He added that it is forbidden to use the Buddha's message to make jokes, produce raps, or insult his worship. He warned businesses against using the Buddha or Buddhist symbols in inappropriate places to gain attention such as bars, bathrooms, underwear and shoes.
